Arsenal signed Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen on Friday to help bolster the London club’s defense.
The 23-year-old Belgium international and left-footed center-back was signed to a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. He was Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
“I’m just so happy to be joining Arsenal,” Vermaelen said. “This is a great club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium. Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies.”
PHOTO: AFP
He won three trophies during his eight years at Ajax, including the Dutch League championship in 2004, making 143 appearances and scoring 10 goals.
“I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again with Arsenal,” Vermaelen said. “I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made it one of his priorities during the transfer window to strengthen the team’s defense, which was heavily criticized last season.
Arsenal finished fourth in the Premier League last season, spending several weeks in fifth place behind Aston Villa. The Gunners haven’t won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2005, and Wenger has been under increasing pressure from fans to buy more experienced players and put less emphasis on his philosophy of developing young talent.
The team’s defense especially came under fire last season because of its vulnerability to set pieces. A falling out in the middle of the season between regular center-backs William Gallas and Kolo Toure also led to criticism, and Wenger did not play the pair together for several weeks.
Toure had requested a transfer in January, but later withdrew it.
Vermaelen’s signing will lead to questions about the future of Toure and Gallas, who was stripped of the captaincy after criticizing his teammates in an interview.
“Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club and we are all delighted that he is joining us,” Wenger said. “Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup football, and is also a regular with the Belgium national team.”
Vermaelen has made 21 appearances for Belgium.
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